Herodian Dynasty
The Herodian Dynasty was a significant ruling family in ancient Judea, established by Herod the Great, who reigned from 37 to 4 BCE after being appointed by Rome. His ascendancy was linked to his father's support of Roman military campaigns. Herod the Great is often remembered for his extensive building projects, including the reconstruction of the Jerusalem Temple and the development of the coastal city of Caesarea, which connected Judaea to the broader Roman Empire. His rule, however, was marked by paranoia, leading to the execution of many perceived threats, including family members.
Upon Herod's death, his kingdom was divided among three of his sons: Herod Archelaus governed Judaea but was deposed after ten years, Herod Antipas ruled Galilee and famously executed John the Baptist, and Herod Philip managed the Golan for a lengthy 40-year period. The dynasty saw a brief reunification under Herod Agrippa I, a grandson of Herod the Great, during his reign from 41 to 44 CE. However, his successor, Herod Agrippa II, played a controversial role in the Jewish War against Rome, ultimately leading to the destruction of Jerusalem's temple in 70 CE. The legacy of the Herodian Dynasty is complex, reflecting both monumental achievements and turbulent political dynamics within a culturally rich but contentious historical context.
Herodian Dynasty
Related civilizations: Judaea, Imperial Rome
Date: 37 b.c.e.-c. 70 c.e.
Herodian Dynasty
Herod, son of Antipater of Idumaea, was appointed king of Judaea (r. 37- 4 b.c.e.) by Rome because of his father’s assistance to Pompey the Great in conquering Jerusalem in 63 b.c.e. His Idumean roots offended Jewish nobility as did various offenses against Jewish law. He was known as “the Great” because of his building projects, including a remodeling of the Jerusalem temple and seaport city Caesarea that involved the creation of Roman temples, a stadium, and a harbor linking Judaea commercially with the entire empire. Six of Herod’s sons were educated in Rome. The paranoid Herod executed numerous male relatives, including his sons and his brother-in-law, a high priest.
At Herod’s death, his kingdom was divided among three surviving sons: Herod Archelaus ruled Judaea until deposed after a decade; Herod Antipas ruled Galilee; and Herod Philip ruled the Golan for four decades spanning the years of Jesus of Nazareth. Herod Antipas beheaded the popular prophet John the Baptist.
Under Herod Agrippa I, grandson of Herod the Great and the noble Mariamme, the kingdom was reunited and the title of king restored. Schooled in Rome with the future emperor Claudius, Agrippa assisted in his accession to the throne and was favored in return. Illness took him after a short reign (r. 41-44 c.e.). Herod Agrippa II’s loyalty to Rome led him to send his army against Jerusalem to end the Jewish nation and destroy the temple in Jerusalem (70 c.e.). With sister Bernice as mistress of the emperor Titus, Agrippa II retired in luxury.
Bibliography
Jones, A. H. M. The Herods of Judaea. Oxford, England: Clarendon Press, 1967.
Richardson, Peter. Herod: King of the Jews and Friend of the Romans. Columbia: University of South Carolina Press, 1996.